Hydraulic conveyer



May 23, 1939. CHAPMAN 2,159,352

HYDRAULIC CONVEYER Filed Sept. 23, 1936 2 Sheets-Shet 1 y 2 1939- F. D. CHAPMAN 2,159,352

- KYDRAULIC CONVEYER Filed Sept. 23, 1936 2 SheetsSheet 2 INV EN TOR.

ATTORNEY Patented May 23, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

The present invention relates in general to improvements in hydraulic granular material washing and conveying systems of the type forming the subject of my copending application,

Serial No. 34740, filed August 5, 1935, which has matured into Patent 2,078,235, dated April 27, 1937.

Generally defined, an object of the present invention is to provide various improvements in the details of construction and in the mode of operating hydraulic conveyer systems for legumes or the like, whereby the efiiciency of such systems is enhanced. to a maximum.

In my prior application above referred to, I have shown and described a hydraulic system for simultaneously washing and transporting legumes such as peas, comprising generally an elongated conveyer conduit, a pump disposed Within the conduit for propelling a mixture of liquid and peas therethrough, a relatively extended liquid supply basin disposed above the pump, a. funnel interposed between the basin and the inlet side of the pump and having at its upper receiving end an annular dam over which the liquid from the basin is delivered to form a vortex in the funnel, and a supply chute for depositing the legumes directly into the open end of the funnel within the confines of the dam. In this prior assemblage all of the liquid entering the funnel, flows over the crest ofthe dam, and the interior of the funnel issmooth and free from obstructions in order to permit free swirling of the liquid within the funnel as well as in the conduit directly in advance of the pump, so that thorough mixing of the liquid and legumes will result. It has been found, that if the liquid from the basin is introduced into the funnel in the form of jets beneath the crest of the dam, more efiective mixing of the solids and liquid may be accomplished with a less extensive supply basin and without violently swirling the liquid as it passes through the funnel; and that sufficient swirling of the mixture directly adjacent to the pump, so as to 45 prevent destructive impact upon the peas by the pump rotor, will naturally result by maintaining the-conduit portion directly in advance of the rotor unobstructed. It has also been found extremely desirable for sanitary reasons and in or 50 der to permit complete removal of all solids and liquidwhen the system is shut down or becomes clogged, to be able to gain convenient access to the interior of the pump, thereby necessitating the provision of a special pump structure for such systems. Such rapid access to the pump interior is desirable wherever bacteriological growth may be detrimental, as is the case with hydraulic legume conveyers.

It is therefore a more specific object of the present invention to provide an improved pump and inlet assemblage for hydraulic systems of the above described class, wherein the legumes and conveying liquid may be most effectively admitted to the pump and the latter may be maintained in highlysanitary condition at all times.

Another specific object of my present improvement is the provision of improved means for automatically compensating for Variations in the quantity of legumes or peas admitted to the pump inlet of a hydraulic conveying system by restraining the delivery of conveying liquid so as to maintain the volume of mixture entering the pump inlet substantially constant at all times.

A further specific object of the invention is to provide simple instrumentalities for positively preventing legumes such as peas containing seed or other particles which tend to float, from backing up into the liquid supply basin when unusually large quantities of the legumes are suddenly delivered into the mixing receptacle in advance of the pump.

Still another specific object of my present invention is to provide an improved mixing bowl at the inlet side of an hydraulic conveyer, wherein floating particles deposited within the bowl are quickly immersed in and thoroughly mixed with the liquid prior to entry of the mixture to the pump.

An additional specific. object of this invention is to provide means for effectively introducing a mixture of liquid and peas to a pump without the aid of violent swirling such as may tend to damage tender peas.

A further specific object of the invention is the provision of an improved pump assemblage wherein the normally concealed passages and ducts are conveniently accessible for cleaning without necessity of r'moving the end heads and rotor.

These and other specific objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description, and it is to be noted that some of the novel features of hydraulic conveyer systems shown but not specifically claimed herein, form the subject of my copending application, above identified.

A clear conception of the several features constituting the present improvement, and of the mode of operating hydraulic systems in accordance with this invention, may be had by referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic top View of an improved hydraulic washing and conveying system, with the legume supply chute omitted;

Fig. 2 is a similarly diagrammatic side elevation of the hydraulic system of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a somewhat diagrammatic enlarged vertical section through the liquid supply basin of the hydraulic conveyer, the section being taken along the irregular line 3-3 of Fig. 1';

Fig. 4 is a similarly diagrammatic and enlarged transverse vertical section through the liquid and legume supply portion of the apparatus, the sec-- tion being taken along the irregular line 4-4 of Fig, 1;

Fig. 5 is a further enlarged fragment of the section shown in Fig. 4, showing the normal action of the apparatus; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical central section through an improved pump especially adapted for use in conjunction with the hydraulic conveyer.

Although the invention has been shown and described herein as being especially applicable for the purpose of washing and transporting green peas, it is not the intent to thereby unnecessarily restrict the scope, since the improved conveyer system is also adapted for the transportation of other legumes as well as fruits, berries and other granular commodities. The term granular as used herein, is intended to apply to any material comprising a mass or multiplicity of granules or particles, including those materials specifically referred to in the preceding sentence.

With reference to the drawings, the present improved hydraulic washing and transporting system, comprises in general an elongated conveyer conduit 8 having therein a special pump consisting of a spiral casing 9 and a rotor l0 within thecasing 9; a liquid supply basin ll of any suitable size located above the pump casing 9; a downwardly converging upright funnel I2 interposed between the basin II and the horizontal unobstructed axial inlet conduit portion l3 leading horizontally to the pump casing 9; a swirl retarding radial vanes l4 secured to and projecting upwardly from the guiding surface of the funnel l2; an annular perforated dam or baffle 15 extending upwardly from the enlarged upper end of the funnel l2 into the basin II; 'a supply chute I6 mounted upon the basin II for delivering legumes such as peas I! by gravity into the funnel l2 through the center of the ballle [5; a rotary relatively coarse screen l8 for receiving the mixture of liquid and peas l1 transported through the conduit 8 by the pump rotor H1; at liquid return pipe I!) for con-'- ducting the liquid from the screen I8 back toward the basin I]; and a relatively fine rotary screen 29 mounted above the basin H and adapted to purify the returning liquid before it is recirculat ed through the system.

The conveyer pipe or conduit 8 is unobstructed throughout its length, and the passages within the pump casing 9 and rotor [0 are likewise unobstructed and of cross sectional area at least as great as that of the transporting con= duit. The pump which is of the shown in detail in 6, is adapted to be driven at any desired constant speed by means of an electric motor 2| or the like, and this motor may also be utilized to revolve the screens I 8, 20 if so desired. The pump passages besides being unobstructive, are also smooth; and the spiral discharge casing 9 which surrounds the rotor 10 has a tangential vertical outlet communicating with the ad jacent portions of the conveyer conduit 8. In order to permit rapid and thorough cleaning of the interior of the casing 9, this casing is provided with one or more readily removable tapered plugs 22 which are normally held in place by strongbacks 23 and the inner ends are shaped to conform with the internal spiral surface of the casing. These plugs 22 should be relatively large so as to permit free access to the interior of the casing 9 when removed, and it is important that one of these plugs be provided near the lowermost casing portion either at the side or at the bottom as shown, so as to permit complete drainage of the pump. It is also desirable to have two of these large removable plugs located in approximate alignment with each other to permit convenient inspection. Valves such as shown in my prior application hereinbefore referred to, may also be provided in the conveyer conduit 8, on opposite sides of the pump casing 9, but these valves have been omitted for the sake of clearmess.

The liquid supply basin ll, funnel l2, vanes l4 and baflle l5 may be formed of sheet metal, and the interior of the funnel l2 may be provided with any desired number of the swirl retarding vanes M. The annular baffle I5 is provided with a series of slots or perforations 24 which are preferably of such size that they will not permit peas I! to pass therethrough, while permitting free passage of liquid from the basin H into the funnel i2. The dam or bafile [5 preferably projects upwardly into the basin ll above the maximum level of the liquid in the basin, and this bafile fits over a flange 25 formed integral with the upper funnel end and may be readily removed therefrom and from within the basin II. The liquid supply basin H which normally receives most of its liquid from the return pipe 19 through the screen 20, is also provided with a float controlled fresh liquid supply pipe 26 and with an adjustable overflow pipe 27, the latter serving to limit the highest level attainable by the liquid within the basin I I. The overflow pipe 21 is connected to the lowermost portion of the basin II by means of two elbows 28 and horizontal and vertical pipes having screw thread coacti'on with these elbows, and may be swung or adjusted about the common horizontal axis of these elbows to any desired angular position from vertical to horizontal, and when the pipe 21 is swung to horizontal position complete drainage of the basin ll may be effected. Since the pump is operable at a fixed predetermined speed, and therefore has constant capacity, the volume of the mixture of liquid and peas i1 withdrawn from the funnel l2, will naturally be constant; so that when the quantity of peas delivered from the chute I6 is increased or decreased, the (man tity of liquid admitted from the basin ll past the bafile [5 will correspondingly decrease or increase. This action causes the liquid level with in the basin H to automatically vary between high and low limits indicated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 by lines 29,30 respectively.

The upper relatively coarse screen [8 within which the transporting conduit 8 terminates, may be rotatably supported in slightly inclined p0 sitioh, by means of rollers 3|, and this screen may be revolved in any suitable manner. The

screen I8 functions to separate the liquid from the mixture of liquid and peas delivered from the conveyer conduit 8, and the separated peas I! roll across and along the downwardly inclined screen bottom, being subjected to a final Washing and rinsing action by jets of water delivered thereto. from a stationary spray pipe 32 located within and extending longitudinally of the screen drum, see Figs. 1 and 2. The open lower end of the screen I8 is adapted to deliverthe finally treated peas I'I upon a discharge chute 33; and the conveying and washing liquid which passes through the screen perforations, is deposited by gravity into a receptacle 34 with the lower end of which the upper end of the return pipe I9 communicates. The lower end of the return pipe I9 terminates within the relatively fine lower screen 2|] which is rotatably supported upon rollers 35 and may be revolved in any suitable manner. The interior of the lower screen 20 is provided with a helical flight 36 and with end elevating vanes 31 as shown in Fig. 3. The flights 36 are formed to automatically transport debris which has been separated from the liquid passing through the screen 20, toward the lifting vanes 31, and the latter are formed to collect and to elevate the debris and to ultimately deliver the same through an end discharge cone 38 upon a receiving chute 39. The separated liquid is precipitated into the basin II from whence it is recirculated, and the quantity of liquid admitted to the system through the spray pipe 32 may be regulated by means of a valve 40.

During normal operation of the improved hydraulic washer and conveyor, the system is being supplied with fresh liquid whenever necessary, through the supply pipe 28, and regulated quantities of fresh liquid are also being supplied through the spray pipe 32. The pump is operating continuously to withdraw liquid from the bottom of the funnel I2, and liquid is being delivered into the funnel through the perforations 24 of the baffle I5. The peas I I are being delivered in bulk at a variable rate, from the chute I6 into the center of the funnel l2 through the medial portion of the annular baffle I5, and are thoroughly mixed with the liquid entering the funnel, the mixture being constantly withdrawn through the inlet section I3 and subsequently forced by the pump through the conveyer conduit 8. Due to the variations. in the quantity of peas H which are admitted to the funnel I2, and also due to the fact that the transporting pump has. constant capacity, the quantity of liquid delivered through the perforations 24 is materially varied, and this variation in the quantity of liquid withdrawn from the basin II will cause the level of the liquid in the basin to rise and fall. The baflle I5 is, however, of sufficient height to prevent the liquid from rising above the top of this baflle, thereby preventing peas from backing up into the basin I I. The overflow pipe 2'! should be so adjusted that even when the apparatus is stopped, the level of the liquid within the basin II cannot rise above the top of the baflle I5. When no peas are being delivered over the chute I6, more liquid will naturally be withdrawn from the basin II, and

is withdrawn from the cone I 2- and is urged through the conveyer conduit 8 by the constantly operating pump. Upon reaching the upper screen I8, the peas are separated and finally washed, and the conveying liquid together with the rinsing liquid, is returned to the system through the pipe I9 and the purifying screen 20.

From the foregoing specific description it will be apparent that the improved conveyer system functions automatically and effectively to transport and to simultaneously wash the peas, and to deliver them from the upper screen I8. Since the liquid from the basin i I is delivered into the cone I2 in the form of an annular series of jets, the admitted peas I? will quickly engulf and thoroughly mix with the liquid without necessity of swirling the mass within the funnel I2. The swirl retarding vanes I4 function to reduce to a minimum the swirling action within the funnel I2, and the mixture doesnot swirl materially until it passes through the inlet conduit I3 leading tothe pump rotor. In this manner violent swirling and possible damaging of the tender peas is eliminated. The quantity of liquid within the basin II may be effectively controlled both by regulation of the fresh supply and by adjustment of the overflow pipe 21, and this overflow pipe also serves to permit rapid draining of the basin II. The special construction of the transporting pump is also important since it permits free access to the internal passages of the pump for inspection and cleaning, and by virtue of the fact that this pump has passages which are equal to or greater than the cross sectional area of the conveyer conduit, the solids are not damaged during washing and conveying thereof. By recirculating the liquid separated from the peas in the upper screen I8, the liquid waste is reduced to a minimum, and the lower screen 20 insures removal of objectionable debris before recirculation of the liquid takes place. The system is not only extremely simple in assemblage, but is entirely automatic in operation, and the invention has proven highly successful in actual commercial use.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit this invention tothe exact details of construction and to the precise mode of operation herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claims may oc our to persons skilled in the art. It is also to be noted that the use of the system is not confined to the washing and transportation of peas, and that other materials such as beans, and berries may also be handled with equal efficiency.

I claim:

1. A hydraulic system comprising, a conduit, a liquid supply basin for said conduit, an annular perforated wall projecting into said basin from the inlet end of said conduit, means associated with the inlet end of said conduit for retarding swirling of the liquid flowing from said basin past said wall to said conduit, and means for delivering granular material to said conduit within said wall.

2. A hydraulic system comprising, a conduit, a liquid supply basin for said conduit, an annular perforated wall projecting into said basin from the inlet end of said conduit, a series of swirl retarding vanes at the inlet end of said conduit within said wall, and means for delivering legumes to said conduit Within said wall.

3. A hydraulic system comprising, a downwardly directed conduit, a liquid supply basin above the upper inlet end of said conduit, an

annular perforated wall projecting upwardly into said basin from said conduit end, a series of swirl retarding vanes at said conduit end within said Wall, and means for delivering granular material to said conduit within said wall.

4. A hydraulic system comprising, a downwardly directed conduit, a liquid supply basin above the upper inlet end of said conduit, an annular perforated Wall projecting upwardly into said basin from said conduit-end, a series of swirl retarding vanes at said conduit end within said wall, and means for delivering legumes to said conduit centrally within said wall.

5. A hydraulic system comprising, a conduit, a liquid supply basin for said conduit, an annular perforated wall projecting away from the inlet end of said conduit and into said basin, a funnel interposed between said wall and said conduit end, swirl retarding vanes within said funnel, and means for delivering granular material into said funnel and conduit along the axis of annularity of said wall.

6. A hydraulic system comprising, a downwardly directed conduit, a liquid supply basin above the upper inlet end of said conduit, an annular perforated wall projecting upwardly into said basin, a downwardly converging funnel interposed between the lower end of said wall and said upper conduit end, swirl retarding vanes within said funnel, and means for delivering legumes into said funnel and conduit within said wall.

7. A hydraulic system comprising, a downwardly directed conduit, a liquid supply basin above the upper inlet end of said conduit, an annular wall projecting upwardly into said basin, a downwardly converging funnel interposed between the lower end of said wall and said upper conduit end, said wall being provided with horizontally elongated vertically narrow perforations for delivering fiat jets of liquid from said basin into said funnel, and swirl retarding vanes within said funnel.

8. A hydraulic system comprising, a conduit, a liquid supply basin for said conduit, an annular perforated wall projecting away from the inlet of said conduit into said basin, a funnel interof said wall being long and narrow so as to produce flat jets flowing from said basin into said conduit, and means for delivering legumes into said conduit with said jets.

FRANK D. CHAPMAN. 

